Al Qaeda Has No Sanctuary in Iraq
Al Qaeda no longer has sanctuary in any major region of Iraq, only a month after the surge of operations began there, a top commander in the region said today. (Video)
This comes after coalition forces recently secured the city of Baqubah, the capital city of the former insurgent-stronghold Diyala province, said Army Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, commander of Multinational Corps Iraq.
“With Baqubah’s liberation, I can think of no major population center in Iraq that is an al Qaeda safe haven today,” the general said, speaking to Pentagon reporters via satellite from Iraq.
Odierno attributed the surge’s successes to three factors: forces denying sanctuary to insurgents; Iraqi security forces growing in size and capabilities; and a recent wave of tribal leaders agreeing to side with coalition forces to drive al Qaeda and other rogue insurgent groups out.
“The Iraqi people are clearly rejecting the Taliban-like mentality that offers no hope to Iraqis or their families,” Odierno said.
More than half of Baghdad is now under the control of coalition or Iraqi security forces, he said.
“The key difference of our ongoing operations is that we are not giving up any of the hard-fought gains,” Odierno said. “We are staying until the Iraqi security forces have the ability to control that battle space. We are working extremely hard with the government of Iraq to establish locally recruited police as well as coordinating with the Iraqi army to ensure long-term stability.”
Odierno said Iraqis are gaining confidence in their own forces and the success of the surge. This has caused many tribes, who once fought against the coalition, to switch sides to help drive out al Qaeda. Odierno said commanders on the ground have been able to make cease-fire agreements with tribes and even mainstream some of them into local security forces.
“Our engagement efforts with groups who were once adversaries are about getting them to point their weapons at al Qaeda and other extremists,” the commander said. “We are ready and willing to engage with key leaders of any groups opposing (al Qaeda in Iraq) or other extremist groups that want to work in cooperation with the coalition, Iraqi security forces, but most importantly with the government of Iraq.”
Violence has sharply declined in many regions because of the agreements with local tribes, Odierno said. He noted that Ramadi, “once the al Qaeda capital of Iraq,” averages less than one attack daily, down from 30 daily only six months ago.
Odierno cited similar successes in Abu Ghraib, Taji, and the Baghdad neighborhood of Amiriyah.
Tips on insurgents, weapons caches and emplaced bombs are now coming in record numbers, he said. To date, nearly 600 weapons caches, 1,300 improvised explosive devices, 25 car bombs and eight bomb-making factories have been found and destroyed.
More than 175 “high-value” suspects were killed or captured, along with a handful of top terrorist leaders in the country. Odierno said they are taking out insurgents so quickly that al Qaeda is having trouble keeping up with replacements, because those left in the network are unwilling or uneducated.
The increase in operations is seasoning Iraqi security forces, improving their skills and demonstrating their willingness to fight, he said.
“They have greatly improved their tactical proficiency and have placed more effective command-and-control structures in place,” Odierno said.
Special operations forces are operating alongside coalition forces. And in Mosul, Tal Afar and Kirkuk, the Iraqi security forces are in charge and executing independent operations with only coalition force oversight. Seven of Iraq’s 18 provinces are responsible for their own security, and commanders hope to bring eight more to that level by the end of the year, Odierno said.
In addition, despite taking casualties at three times the rate of coalition forces, Iraqi recruiting continues to be strong, and manning of the units continues to increase, Odierno said.
In the national police, about 75 percent of the leaders have been replaced since last year, and Iraqis have been arresting their own who demonstrate sectarian division.
“Professionalism, discipline and esprit de corps continue to improve. Their ability to conduct independent operations increases and continues to be done across the country,” Odierno said.
Meanwhile, formerly displaced Iraqis are now returning home more confident in their safety, he said.
“Hundreds of extremists are no longer available to terrorize the innocent people, and thousands of Iraqis are better off today than they were just a month ago,” Odierno said.
Source: U.S. Department of Defense
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Uhoh!! More bad news for Pelosi and Reid. What’s the world coming to when leftists are exposed as lying sacks of manure? A liberal can’t get away with anything anymore.
July 19th, 2007 at 6:58 pmJarhead68; you are too kind. hahahahha and so generous, when I know you’d rather polish yore boots on Harry’s kiester.
July 19th, 2007 at 7:10 pmLike we talked about Pat, there will be relative peace in Iraq by the end of the year, amazing things are happening:
“Pat:
I love what you are doing over there. I love how much you update your blog. I am chompin at the bit for the Young American’s DVD. I know that is going to rock and really inspire this country. A Republican or Independent will be elected in 2008. The Republicans will take back the House and Senate Majority. I see peace in Iraq by the end of the year. Major drawdown’s of our troops. Probably less than 100k troops still in theatre at end of 2008.
I saw on MSM today that 9 out of 10 journalists donate to the anti-war defeatocrat party. I had no idea it was so high! Despite the “we want to lose propaganda” most Americans are bombarded with on a daily basis by the democrat supporters, our soldiers are winning the war for us.
What is happening in Anbar is not going to stop at the borders of Iraq. The Iraqi’s I believe, will finish off Al-Qaeda and get every other radical and corrupt Arab country to stop their fighting and lay down their weapons. You know what is now happening in Anbar. They are already spreading to other areas of Iraq. I believe the Sunnis are going to lead the whole Middle East this time, but without forcing it at the barrel of a gun. Shia and Kurd will gladly follow. I know you must see it happening. It’s getting obvious. Iran will also cut their crap out. They will thrive and buy our weapons (the Iraqi’s that is). Finally, we will have a strong Arab Democracy to help other Arab nations realize we have been trying to help them all along.
It’s amazing how our soldiers are teaching them how to create, build and protect a democratic society that has a thriving market economy. They (Iraqi’s and our Soldiers) really are digging it from what I get reading the blogs.
Remember the cocky Saudi generals at the surrender table with the big happy confident smile on their faces at the end of Desert Storm? They helped the US kick Saddam’s ass. They liked being a part of the winning team. They were proud to be our allies and liberating their Kuwaiti brothers. Most Kuwaiti’s are still grateful for what we did for their country. The Iraqi’s are going to start leading and fighting Al-Qaeda in this war on terror. They are going to stop this scourge once and for all. They can get all the other radical countries and factions to talk and either die or have peace. Since it will be an Arab country that loves the US as an ally, other Arab countries will join us Peace.”
“I pretty much overall agree, man.”-Pat Dollard
July 19th, 2007 at 7:18 pmSorry, left part out by accident in previous post… here is correct one…
“I pretty much overall agree, man”-Pat Dollard
On Jun 21, 2007, at 9:30 PM, Corey Wayne wrote:
>
July 19th, 2007 at 7:21 pm> Corey Wayne wrote:
> Dear Pat:
>
> I love what you are doing over there. I love how much you update your
> blog. I am chompin at the bit for the Young American’s DVD. I know
> that is going to rock and really inspire this country. A Republican
> or Independent will be elected in 2008. The Republicans will take
> back the House and Senate Majority.
> I see peace in Iraq by the end of the year. Major drawdown’s of our
> troops.
> Probably less than 100k troops still in theatre at end of 2008.
>
> I saw on MSM today that 9 out of 10 journalists donate to the anti-war
> defeatocrat party. I had no idea it was so high! Despite the “we
> want to lose propaganda” most Americans are bombarded with on a daily
> basis by the democrat supporters, our soldiers are winning the war for
> us.
>
> What is happening in Anbar is not going to stop at the borders of
> Iraq. The Iraqi’s I believe, will finish off Al-Qaeda and get every
> other radical and corrupt Arab country to stop their fighting and lay
> down their weapons. You know what is now happening in Anbar. They
> are already spreading to other areas of Iraq. I believe the Sunnis
> are going to lead the whole Middle East this time, but without forcing
> it at the barrel of a gun. Shia and Kurd will gladly
> follow. I know you must see it happening. It’s getting obvious.
> Iran will
> also cut their crap out. They will thrive and buy our weapons (the
> Iraqi’s
> that is). Finally, we will have a strong Arab Democracy to help
> other Arab
> nations realize we have been trying to help them all along.
>
> It’s amazing how our soldiers are teaching them how to create, build
> and protect a democratic society that has a thriving market economy.
> They (Iraqi’s and our Soldiers) really are digging it from what I get
> reading the blogs.
>
> Remember the cocky Saudi generals at the surrender table with the big
> happy confident smile on their faces at the end of Desert Storm? They
> helped the US
> kick Saddam’s ass. They liked being a part of the winning team.
> They were
> proud to be our allies and liberating their Kuwaiti brothers. Most
> Kuwaiti’s are still grateful for what we did for their country. The
> Iraqi’s are going to start leading and fighting Al-Qaeda in this war
> on terror. They are going to stop this scourge once and for all.
> They can get all the other radical countries and factions to talk and
> either die or have peace. Since it will be an Arab country that loves
> the US as an ally, other Arab countries will join us Peace.
>
> Just like John Lennon’s song “Imagine.”
>
> Anbar changed quickly. So will the rest of the countries that are
> hostile to the US.
>
> I know you will continue to watch it unfold. You will be amazed at
> the sights your eyes will see my friend. Trust me. This is the most
> amazing time to be alive in all of human history. We are at the dawn
> of the Golden Age. Humanity is going to make it… together!
>
> Love in Action
>
> Corey Wayne
We all remember that it was Gen Odierno’s forces who hauled Saddam outta the spiderhole.
I wd REALLY not want to have my name/organization on that man’s “TO DESTROY” list. He has a way of crossing the names off…
GOD BLESS HIM!
July 19th, 2007 at 7:33 pmlook at these sick maggots
http://www.whywehatebush.proboards50.com/index.cgi?board=hate
July 19th, 2007 at 7:33 pmOmggg… people on that board are sooo… well, hateful. Thief Bush this, thief Bush that. So weird! Anyway, more than half of Baghdad no longer belongs to al-Q. Great news! Can’t wait for September, bet there’ll be a lot of great news!!
July 19th, 2007 at 9:27 pmTalitm… that link just ruined my day. Damn, I wish I was a hacker…
July 19th, 2007 at 10:26 pmOur Senator Casey that beat Senator Santorum did a hit piece with one of our local television stations last night, this cbs3 beyatch osman. CBS, go figure, following lock step with the network which went to the cronkite surrender school of journalism. I told the Senator that maybe you could send someone to DC to explain things. Last night’s hit piece was about evil recruiters. The set-up bitch asked the recruiter what his chances were in getting killed in Iraq. The recruiter said pretty slim. More people are killed on US highways in one year than our entire involvement against al-sadistika. So the recruiter wasn’t lying. But he was portrayed as such and the Senator was going to put recruiters on notice by passing a law. There was also the obligatory mention of the evil treatment of recruiters towards females. The Iraqi government would stand a better chance than the US government would in that effort. I know you told him you were all busy but, in case the democrats were successful in doing to you what they did to us in ‘75 you’d send him a prayer rug catalogue. Thank you Patrick for your quick response, I’m sure he’ll love all the colors. Unfortunately General Petreus was busy also otherwise he’d stop by the Capitol Building and chase the Senator around his office. I asked him to be in DC for the demonstration in Sep, please don’t flee back to Pennsylvania. He was famous for that while involved in Pennsylvania politics, they could never find him in Harrisburg either.
July 19th, 2007 at 10:44 pmtalitm,
thanks for the link. I just wrote a comment asking them to find some meaning in their shallow lives. my moniker is Albert qaeda.
July 20th, 2007 at 12:04 amtalitm,
I spent about 5 minutes on that site before I felt like I needed to take a shower.
I guess I’m supposed to feel sorry for sick bastards like that, but it just ain’t in me.
I consider bacteria like that a waste of plasma and I am tired of sharing the atmoshere with them.
July 20th, 2007 at 4:16 amI’m not hearing this on MSM TV. Gee I wonder why? Oh yeah, I forgot…according to the demedia, bad is good and good is bad. This is the kind of good news that doesn’t quite match with their agenda.
Of couse with so many screwballs at large as talitm has pointed out, it is no wonder that so many people in the MSM are so fucking retarded.
July 20th, 2007 at 4:58 amSpeaking of dead-enders, did you see the Pakistani report that says that OBL has died?
July 20th, 2007 at 6:02 amhttp://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,41576,00.html
Sorry Future0311
I just had to show you guys that. =/
July 20th, 2007 at 9:57 amTalitm,
July 20th, 2007 at 12:18 pmThat site is unbelievable…amazing how hate-filled they are…
I’m gald I don’t subscribe to the lefty sites…I’d be constantly depressed.